Stitching machine



y 11, 1939- E. J. TREPP STITCHING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l Emerz'ck (Z Trap D July 11, 1939. E. J. TREPP 2,166,028

STITCHING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 11, 1939. E. J. TREPP 2,166,028

STITICHING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 11, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to stitching machines, and more particularly to a manually operable stitching machine for stitching of leather.

An object of this invention is to provide a stitching machine which is so constructed that evenly spaced apart stitches may be provided in leather for sewing the soles onto the bottoms of shoes or the like, the machine being of a manually operable type and embodying features lo -whereby a shoemaker may readily and quickly sew the sole onto the bottom of a shoe.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of this type which is so constructed that several types of stitches may be formed with v the same machine without making any change whatever in the construction of the machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a relatively simple sewing machine structure which is relatively light in construction and which may be manufactured and sold at a relatively small cost so that a sewing machine may be used by individual shoemakers having business of a volume insufficient to warrant the purchase of a large or automatic stitching machine.

5 To the above objects and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangements of parts as will be more specifically referred to and as illustrated. in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary detail side elevation of a machine constructed according to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper end of the thread lacing holder or support,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the operating end of the resilient lacer showing the two parts therein in exaggerated spaced apart relation,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary end elevation of the machine,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the awl or punch member engaged through the sole of a shoe or other piece of leather,

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the lacer projecting through the sole of the shoe for receiving the thread,

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic View showing one type of stitch which may be performed with this machine,

Figure 9 is a detail top plan of the machine,

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line ||]||l of Figure 1,

Figure 11 is a sectional View taken on the line, of Figure 1,

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the awl guiding means forming part of this invention,

Figure 131s a fragmentary side elevation similar to Figures 6 and 7 but showing the lacer forcing the thread upwardly through the hole punched by the awl, and

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view showing another form of stitch which may be made with this invention.

Referring to the drawings, 20 designates generally a frame structure which may be secured to a suitable standard (not shown) and which is provided at a point below the upper end thereof with a horizontally disposed rail or bar 2|. The upper end of the frame member 2!] is provided with a substantially right angularly disposed portion 22 having a slot 23 therein in which a supporting plate 24 is secured by means of bolts 25 or the like.

The plate 24 in the present instance is constructed in the form of a disc or the like and is provided with an axially disposed opening 26 in which a disc-shaped guide member 21 is adapted to engage. The guide member 21 is provided with a U-shaped opening 28 which opens through an edge of the plate or disc member 21, the purpose for which will be hereinafter described. An upstanding guide or sleeve member 29 which is provided at the lower end thereof with a flange 30 engages the upper side of the supporting plate 24. The sleeve or guide member 29 is provided with an extension 3| having exterior threads and this extension 3| is adapted to extend downwardly through the guide opening 28; A flanged nut member 32 is threaded onto the extension 3| and the flange 33 thereof engages the underside of the supporting plate 23. The nut 32 is tightly held in adjusted position by means of a set screw 34 or the like.

A slide member 35 slidably engages in the guide 29 and is provided on one side thereof with a toothed rack 36. The rack 36 is engaged by a pinion 31 secured to a shaft 38 which is journalled in outstanding ears 39 carried by the guide member 29. A crank 'or handle 40 is secured to the shaft 38 and is biased to an uppermost inoperative position by means of a spring 4|.

A shaft or bar 42 extends axially through the slide member 35 and is provided with a socket 43 at its lower end which is longitudinally split as at 44. An awl or punch member 45 is adapted to engage in the socket 43 and to extend down below the lower end of the shaft or bar 42. A collar or clamping member 46 engages about the lower end of the rod 42 and is provided with a nut 41 so that this collar which is split and provided with confronting ears may be tightly clamped onto the bar 42 so as to removably hold the awl or punch member 45 in the bar or shaft 42. The shaft or bar 42 is adjustably held with respect to the slide member 35 by means of a split collar or clamping member 43 which engages about the bar or shaft 42 at the upper end of the slide member 35. A U-shaped clamping member 49 is pivotally secured as at 50 to the upper end of the slide member 35 and is adapted to engage over the collar 48 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. In this manner the rod 42 is held against endwise movement relative to the slide 35.

The extension 3| of the guide or sleeve 29 is provided with opposed parallel or flat portions 5| which engage between the parallel portions of the U-shaped guide member 2'1 so that the guide member 29 will be held against rotation relative to the guide member 21. However, the guide member 29 may be moved back and forth between the parallel portions 28 of the adjustable guide member 21. The direction of the sliding movement of the guide member 29 relative to the guide member 21 may be readily determined by means of a pointer 52 which is secured to the flange 3!] of the guide member 29 on the upper side thereof and which overlies the top of the supporting plate 24. The plate 24 is provided with a plurality of markings 53 which are adapted to indicate the angular position of the parallel side portions 28 of the guide member 21.

A substantially U-shaped combined shoe support and guiding member generally designated at 54 is secured in adjusted position on the supporting rail or bar 2!. The member 54 is constructed with a channel 55 extending through the parallel legs and the bight thereof, and the channel 55 preferably opens through one side of the member 54 and a U-shaped cover or plate 55 closes the outer side of the channel 55 being secured as by screws 51 or the like. The U-shaped member 54 is provided on the lower leg 58 thereof with a pair of independent clamp-ing members 59 which are engageable with the guide or supporting rail 2| and are secured in adjusted position by means of screws or bolts 60. The clamping members 59 may be constructed in the form of a split clamp provided with ears GI through which the bolt 60 engages. The upper parallel leg 62 of the U-shaped member 54 is provided with a longitudinally extending channel 63 opening through the upper side of this leg 62. This channel is provided for the purpose of receiving a thread which may be passed entirely through the channel 63 below the sole S of a shoe which may be resting on the topof the supporting leg 62. The channel 55 opens as at 64 through the adjacent end of the supporting leg 62 and opens in an upward direction. Preferably, the channel 55 is provided with a curve at the upper end thereof communicating with the opening 64 so that a yieldable or bendable lacing member generally designated as 65 may be readily bent when the upper end of the lacing member 65 is forced outwardly through the opening 64.

The lacing member 65 comprises a pair of resilient flat strips 66 and 61 which are provided with notches 68 and 69 adjacent the upper ends thereof. These two strips 66 and 61 are adapted to be disposed in face abutting relation in the channel 55 and the two notches 68 and 69 open in opposite directions. Preferably, the upper end of the strip 66 is cut off or bevelled as at 10 so that when the lacing member 65 is projected through the opening 54 and above the parallel leg or supporting member 52 a thread may be engaged with that portion of strip 61 exposed by the cut off portion ill and the strips 56 and El forced apart to permit the movement of the thread into the notches 68 and 69. An outstanding arm 1! is carried by the innermost of the clamping members 59 and an L-shaped guide member 12 is adjustably secured to the supporting arm H by means of bolts or screws it. The lower or horizontal leg of the guide member 12 is preferably provided with an elongated slot 14 so that the vertical leg 15 thereof may be adjusted toward or away from the adjacent end of the lower leg 58 of the U-member 54. A lacer operating member 16 is secured as by a set screw T? to the lacer 65 between the vertical leg '55 and the adjacent end of the lower leg 58. The length of movement of the operating member 76 is determined by the adjustment of the guide member 12 relative to the U-shaped member 54 so that the upper or operating end of the lacer 65 may be projected through the leather or sole S to the desired degree.

The sole S is slidably held on the upper leg 62 by means of a clamp comprising an L-shaped member 18 having a jaw 19 which may be movable to a position over the top of a sole or piece of leather engaged on the supporting leg or table 62. An arm 88 having an elongated slot 8! at the upper end thereof is adjustably secured to the clamping member 18 by means of a thumb screw 82. In this manner the clamping member 18 which includes the arm 80 may have the length thereof adjusted to accommodate different thicknesses of leather engaging on the upper leg 62. The lower end of the arm 83 is provided with an off-set eye or guide member 83 which slidably engages the guide or supporting rail 2i.

In the use and operation of this machine the shoe is clamped onto the holder or support 54 by the clamping member 18. The two parts of the shoe as for example the upper and the sole are placed together between the table or supporting member 62 and the clamping jaw 19. This jaw 19 on the underface thereof is preferably provided with serrations or the like to hold the sole or shoe part against movement relative to the jaw, but the clamping member 78 is adapted to hold the assembly in a manner whereby the shoe and the sole may be moved on the table or support 62 during the stitching operation. Assuming that it is desired to stitch in a straight line along the side of the shoe, the pointer 52 is set to overlie or point to the center of a graduation 53. The guide member 29 is initially loosened by slightly unthreading the nut 32 so as to permit the turning of the guide member 2'! in the table 24. When the correct position of the pointer 52 has been determined, the nut 32 is again tightened so as to hold the U-shaped guide member 21 against movement relative to the table 24 but permitting movement of the guide member 29 within the guide 21. The guide member 29 is then moved to the right as viewed in Figure 1 and Figure 9 so that the awl member 45 will be positioned laterally of the lacer opening 64. This awl 45 is then moved downwardly by rocking the handle 40 counterclockwise or to the left as viewed in Figure 1 until the awl 45 passes entirely through the two pieces of leather including the sole and the upper or out-sole. The handle 40 may then be moved slightly in a clockwise direction to partly withdraw the awl 45 from the hole formed thereby and then the guide member 29 with the awl partly in the two sections of leather is pulled forwardly or to the left thus sliding the clamping member 78 on the rail 2| and pulling the shoe forwardly on the table or supporting member 62 until the hole formed by the awl 45 overlies the lacer opening 64. At this time the guide member 29 is at the extremity of its forward movement. The awl 45 is then entirely withdrawn from the shoe by rocking the handle clockwise to the limit of its movement. The lacer operating member 16 is then grasped between the fingers and manually moved to the right as viewed in Figure 1. so as to project the notched end portions of the lacer members $6 and 6'! upwardly through the lacer opening 64 and through the opening formed by the awl as shown in Figure '7. The thread T is then engaged with the eye formed by the notched portions 68 and 69 and at this time the thread T will be disposed in the position shown in Figure '7 The lacer 65 is then pulled downwardly into the channel 55 by moving the operating member 16 to the left pulling the thread T in the form of a loop down into the channel 55. The awl 45 is ien moved to the right by sliding the guide member 29 to the right and is then forced through the leather as hereinbefore described, and after being partly withdrawn the awl and the leather are moved forwardly or to the left so that the newly formed opening will overlie the lacer opening 64. The lacer 65 is then projected upwardly through the second opening carrying therewith the loop of thread which was pulled downwardly through the first opening. The upwardly projected thread is then pulled through the lacer and disengaged therefrom whereupon a second thread is threaded into the eye of the lacer and the lacer retracted by moving the operator 16 to the left.

It will be. understood that the first thread has both ends thereof projecting through the upper side of the leather with the loop on the underside between the two openings or holes. The hole forming operation is then repeated so as to form a third hole in the leather spaced from the second hole and when this third hole is positioned in overlying relation to the lacer opening 64 the eye of the lacer is then projected upwardly by moving the operator 16 to the right. The second thread is then disengaged from the eye of the lacer and this operation is repeated until the entire edge of the shoe has been sewed, it being understood that in this operation two threads are attached with both ends of each thread disposed on the same side of the shoe. These threads may be coated or impregnated with glue or wax in the customary manner and manually pulled tight so that the loops of thread will tightly hold the pieces of leather together. By this operation one thread will have one loop thereof disposed on one side of the shoe or piece of leather and the succeeding loop of the same thread will be disposed on the opposite side as diagrammatically shown in Figure 8.

If desired a different stitch may be formed in the following manner. After the first hole has been formed in the leather and this hole positioned over the lacer opening 64, the lacer 65 is projected through the opening thus formed carrying therewith a thread such as the thread T shown in Figure 13 which is positioned in the longitudinally disposed groove 63 of the head or supporting member 62. The lacer 65 after projecting a loop of thread through the hole in the leather pieces is then retracted and a second thread is then passed through this loop as shown in Figure 13. The two pieces of thread are then pulled tightly so that the interengaging loops of thread will be positioned substantially mid-way between the two sides of the leather as shown diagrammatically in Figure 14.. In this form of stitch one thread will have the two ends thereof on one side of the leather and the other thread will have the two ends thereof disposed in the opposite side. As shown in Figure 14, the loops of one thread will be disposed on the same side of the leather and the loops of the other thread will be disposed on the opposite side of the leather.

When it is desired to form stitches of a zigzag nature rather than stitches which are in alignment, the guide member 2? may be turned to one of the positions shown by the indicating means 53, and in this position the guide member 29 at one end of the slot 28 will position the awl above the lacer opening 64. The zigzag arrangement of the stitches is accomplished by turning the guide member 2! so that the awl carrier will move angularly with respect to the length of the table 62. The zigzag stitches are formed by first moving the awl in one direction to position the awl directly above the threader 65. When the awl has been forced through the leather, the awl structure is then moved in the guide means 2'! so that the hole formed by the awl will b at one side of the table 52. The awl is then withdrawn and the thread forced through the opening by any suitable means, whereupon the awl is then returned to the position over the table and a second hole punched through the leather. The leather is left in the position with the second hole directly over the threader 55 so that the threader may be used for every other stitch.

What I claim is:

1. A stitching means comprising a frame, means for supporting a shoe relative to said frame, an awl, guide means engaging said awl and said frame for supporting said awl for movement in aplane at right angles to the face of the shoe on said supporting member, a second guide means carried by said frame engageable with said first guide means for guiding said first guide means for movement in a plane parallel to the surface of the shoe on said supporting member, and a thread lacing means carried by said supporting member for lacing a thread through a hole formed in the shoe by said awl.

2. A stitching means comprising a frame, a supporting member carried by said frame for supporting a shoe relative to said frame, means for clamping a shoe on said supporting member in a manner whereby said shoe and clamping member may have movement relative to said supporting member, an awl, means mounting said awl for sliding movement in a plane at right angles to the surface of a shoe on said supporting member, operating means for said awl, a lacing member carried by said supporting member, and oper ating means engaging said lacing member for moving said lacing member through the hoe formed the shoe by said awl.

3. A stitching means comprising a frame, a supporting member carried by said frame for supporting a shoe relative to said frame, an awl, guide means carried by said frame for slidably mounting said awl for movement in a plane at right angles to the adjacent surface of a shoe on said supporting member, a second guide means carried by said frame engaging said first guide means for mounting said first guide means for movement in a plane parallel with the face of the shoe on the supporting member, means for adjusting said second guide means, and a lacing means carried by said supporting member for drawing a thread through a hole formed by said awl.

4. A stitching means comprising a frame, a supporting table carried by said frame for supporting a shoe relative to said frame, means for releasably clamping a shoe on said table, said table having a channel therein opening through the upper surface thereof, a lacing member in said channel and adapted to be projected through said opening in said table, an awl disposed at right angles to the adjacent face of said table, and means supporting said awl for movement toward or away from said table.

5. A stitching means comprising a frame, a shoe supporting table carried by said frame provided With a channel therein opening through the upper side of said table, a lacing member slidably mounted in said channel and adapted to be pro jected through said opening in said table, operating means for said lacing member, and an awl supported above said table for movement at right angles relative thereto.

6. A stitching means comprising a frame, a shoe supporting table carried by said frame provided with a channel therein opening through the upper side thereof, means for detachably clamping a shoe on said table, a lacing member slidably engaging in said channel and adapted to be projected through said opening in said table, operating means for said lacing member, means limiting the movement of said operating means, and an awl supported above said table for movement toward or away from said table.

7. A stitching means comprising a frame, a shoe supporting table carried by said frame provided with a channel therein opening through the upper surface of said table, means for detachably clamping a shoe on said table, a yieldable lacing member engaging in said channel and adapted to be projected through the opening in said table, an operating member secured to said lacing member, and means carried by said frame engageable with said lacing member to limit the movement of said operating member.

8. A stitching means comprising a frame, a shoe supporting table, means securing said table to said frame, means for clamping a shoe on said table, said table having a channel therein opening through the upper side thereof, an awl supported above said table for movement toward or away from the adjacent face of said table, a lacing member slidably engaging in the channel of said table and adapted to be projected through the upper surface thereof, an operating member secured to said lacing member, means carried by said frame engaging said operating member to limit the movement thereof, and means for adjusting said limiting means for said operating member.

9. A stitching means comprising a frame, a shoe supporting table, means securing said table to said frame, said table having a channel therein opening through the upper side thereof, a yieldable lacing member slidably ,engaging in said channel and adapted to be projected through the opening in said table, said lacing member comprising a pair of yieldable flat strips provided with opposed notches adjacent one end thereof whereby to provide an eye through which a thread may be projected.

10. A stitching means comprising a frame, a shoe supporting table, means securing said table to said frame, said table having an elongated .channel therein opening through the upper side thereof, means for detachably clamping a shoe on said table, means slidably mounting said clamping means on said frame whereby a shoe held by said clamping means may have movement on the surface of said table, an awl overlying said table, means for operating said awl toward or away from said table, a lacing member engaging in a channel of said table including a pair of resilient strips provided with opposed notches adjacent an end thereof, said lacing member being adapted to have the notched end portion thereof projected through the opening in the upper surface of said table, an operating member engaging said lacing member, means adjustably securing said operating member on said lacing member, and means limiting the movement of said operating member.

11. A stitching means comprising a vertically disposed frame, a horizontally disposed rail carried by said frame, a shoe supporting table, means securing said table to said rail, said table having an elongated guide channel therein opening through the upper side thereof, an awl, means for moving said awl toward or away from said table, means for adjusting said awl relative to said table, a lacing member engaging in the channel of said table including an eye adapted to be projected through the upper surface of said table, an operating member secured to said lacing member, and means limiting the movement of said operating member in opposite directions.

12. A stitching means comprising a vertically disposed frame, a horizontally disposed rail carried by said frame, a shoe supporting table, means securing said table to said rail, said table having a guide channel therein, a lacing member slidably engaging in said guide channel, said channel opening through the upper side of said table, means for clamping a shoe on said table, means slidably securing said clamping means on said rail, an awl, means supporting said awl for movement at right angles to the adjacent surface of said table, said means including means whereby said awl may have limited movement in a plane parallel to the surface of said table.

13. A stitching means comprising a frame, a shoe supporting table, means securing said table to said frame, said table having an elongated guide channel therein, a longitudinally bendable lacing member engaging in said channel, said channel opening at one end through the upper surface of said table and said lacing member adapted to be projected through said opening in the surface of said table, an operating member secured to said lacing member, means limiting the movement of said operating member, means for clamping a shoe on said table, a guide member, means carried by said frame for slidably mounting said guide member for movement in a plane parallel with the upper face of said table, a, slide engaging said guide member, a toothed rack carried by said slide, a gear carried by said guide engaging with said rack, a handle secured to said gear, an elongated rod extending axially through said slide, means detachably securing an awl on the lower end of said rod, and means for adjusting the rod in said slide.

EMERICK J. TREPP. 

